SLPs, are you thinking about practicing in another state? Here is what you need to know about the ASLP Interstate Compact in 2026.
There has been a lot of excitement and confusion about the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). While the compact is a major step toward licensure portability, there are important details clinicians and employers must understand.
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What the ASLP Compact is designed to do
The ASLP-IC allows eligible licensed SLPs and audiologists to apply for permission to practice in other participating states through what is called a compact privilege.
Important: The compact does not replace your home state license.
You must continue to maintain an active license in your home state.
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Compact privilege vs full licensure: what is the difference?
This is one of the most common questions clinicians are asking.
A compact privilege is intended to make it easier and faster to practice across participating compact states without going through the full time and expense of obtaining a separate license in each state.
However, it is important to understand what it is and what it is not.
Myth vs Fact
MYTH: The interstate compact gives you another state license.
FACT: A compact privilege allows you to practice across participating states, but it is not full licensure.
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A compact privilege:
• Allows you to practice in participating compact states
• Is obtained through the compact system
• Requires you to maintain your home state license
• Is designed to reduce administrative burden
A full state license:
• Is issued directly by that individual state
• Requires that state’s full application process
• May involve additional fees and timelines
• Provides full licensure status in that state
*If you want full licensure in another state, you must still apply directly to that state’s licensing board.
The compact pathway is meant to improve mobility, not to replace traditional licensure.
Source: https://aslpcompact.com/compact-commission/compact-model-legislation/
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What about reciprocity?
Many clinicians, especially newer SLPs, also hear the term reciprocity and wonder how it fits in.
Licensure by reciprocity (or endorsement) is the traditional pathway for working in another state. It means you apply to that state’s licensing board and, if you meet their requirements, they issue you a full, separate license based on your existing credentials.
In simple terms:
• Reciprocity = you get another full state license
• Compact privilege = you get permission to practice across compact states
A compact privilege, in contrast, is permission to practice in another compact member state while you maintain your home state license.
You are not issued a second full license through the compact pathway.
Both pathways allow interstate practice, but they operate very differently.
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Important reality check about the rollout
Compact member does not equal compact privilege.
There is a common misunderstanding that we are waiting for more states to join the compact before privileges can be widely issued.
That is not the primary bottleneck at this point.
As of early 2026, the majority of U.S. states have enacted ASLP-IC legislation.
View the live compact map:
https://aslpcompact.com/compact-map/
The CompactConnect system opened to practitioners in October 2024.
https://aslpcompact.com/compactconnect/
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So what are we actually waiting for?
Individual member states must complete onboarding and fully implement CompactConnect before clinicians can be granted compact privileges.
Key point that is often misunderstood:
The provider applies through their home state, and the home state must be operational in CompactConnect in order for the clinician to obtain a compact privilege.
*In simple terms, your home state is the gatekeeper.
The home state is responsible for verifying eligibility and enabling the privilege process through CompactConnect.
Clinicians may only use the privilege in remote states that are participating in the compact and issuing privileges for practice in that state.
In practical terms:
• Your home state portal must be operational for you to obtain a compact privilege
• You apply through your home state license
• The client’s state must be a participating compact member
• Privileges can only be exercised in states that are currently issuing them
Source: https://aslpcompact.com/faqs/
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Current operational status
As of the ASLP-IC Commission update dated February 9, 2026, registration for compact privileges is open only in:
• Louisiana
• Ohio
• West Virginia
Check current availability:
https://app.compactconnect.org/Dashboard
Follow legislative and implementation progress:
https://aslpcompact.com/compact-commission/
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Bottom line
The ASLP Interstate Compact is a meaningful step forward for interstate mobility. At the same time, it is not automatic and it is not the same as full licensure.
Clinicians should carefully review eligibility, state participation status, and implementation timelines before relying on compact privileges, and should pursue full licensure separately when that level of authorization is needed.
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